How Does the Concept of “Pruning” Allow a Full Node to save Storage Space?
Pruning is a feature that allows a full node to discard the historical transaction data of fully spent UTXOs once they have been verified and confirmed. The node retains only the block headers and the current, unspent UTXO set (UTXO database).
This drastically reduces the required disk space, as the vast majority of blockchain data consists of spent transaction outputs. Pruned nodes still contribute to network security by validating new blocks.
Glossar
Pruned Full Node
Architecture ⎊ A pruned full node represents a strategic optimization within a cryptocurrency network, functioning as a complete validator while minimizing storage demands through selective historical data retention.
Full Node
Validation ⎊ A full node is a server or computer running the blockchain's core software, responsible for downloading the entire history of the ledger and independently verifying every transaction and block against the network's consensus rules.
UTXO Set
Ledger ⎊ The Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) set represents a snapshot of all unspent outputs from previous transactions on a blockchain, fundamentally defining the available funds for any given address.
New Node Joining
Node ⎊ The integration of a new participant into a distributed ledger network, particularly relevant in cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi), signifies a procedural event involving cryptographic validation and consensus protocol adherence.
Node
Entity ⎊ A Node is an individual participant computer that validates transactions, maintains a copy of the ledger, and contributes to the overall security and decentralization of the cryptocurrency Network.
Block Headers
Information ⎊ Block Headers are the succinct summaries of a block's content and validation parameters, acting as the primary mechanism for chain linkage and Proof-of-Work verification across the peer-to-peer network.